Valencia defender Aymen Abdennour has revealed a potential move to Chelsea collapsed because of ‘financial reasons’.

Abdennour was high on Chelsea’s list of targets as Antonio Conte looked to bolster his defence but a deal failed to happen and the Blues instead turned their attentions to David Luiz and Marcos Alonso.

It is thought that Chelsea wanted to take the 27-year-old on loan, and the player has now lifted the lid on why a potential move to the Premier League failed to go through.

“I was negotiating with English clubs during the transfer window but for financial reasons the transfer did not happen,” he said. “Valencia is a great club and I have no problem continuing because I have four years left on my contract.”

Everton were said to be talking to the player, but the Toffees also struggled to agree terms and snapped up Ashley Williams from Swansea City instead.